A new international study has revealed that the United States is making the slowest progress among high-income countries in reducing deaths from chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Published this week in The Lancet, the research analyzed mortality data from 185 countries and territories between 2010 and 2019. While most nations showed steady declines in chronic disease deaths, the United States fell behind its peers, with worrying increases among adults aged 20 to 45 — a trend described as “rare among high-income Western countries.”
“Globally, the risk of dying from chronic diseases is declining, but the pace of progress has slowed,” said senior author Majid Ezzati, professor at Imperial College London’s School of Public Health. “The United States showed the slowest decline, which is cause for concern.”
Among the 25 high-income Western countries studied, Denmark achieved the greatest reduction in chronic disease mortality, while Germany’s performance was only slightly better than that of the United States.
Key Findings
Global progress: About 80% of countries saw reductions in chronic disease deaths, covering over 70% of the world’s population.
Uneven progress by age: Some nations achieved strong declines among both working-age and older adults, while others — including the US — saw stagnation or reversal among younger populations.
Contributing factors: Improvements in medical treatment, earlier detection, and updated clinical guidelines have driven progress worldwide. However, rising deaths from neuropsychiatric conditions, such as dementia and alcohol use disorders, have slowed overall gains in several countries.
In the United States, modest improvements among older adults were offset by stagnation among middle-aged adults and rising mortality among younger adults, leading to the nation’s poor performance.
Barriers in the United States
The researchers highlighted several systemic challenges that may be limiting progress in the US. These include:
Limited access to primary care and preventive services, particularly in rural “hospital deserts.”
Persistent health disparities tied to uneven investment in public health.
Rising mortality linked to neuropsychiatric conditions, which have not been balanced by declines in cancer and cardiovascular deaths.
Policy and Prevention Efforts
The study’s release comes as US policymakers spotlight the growing burden of chronic disease. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently emphasized that more than three-quarters of American adults live with at least one chronic condition.
Public health experts stress that meaningful progress will require not only medical interventions but also broader wellness initiatives. “We need to think about wellness comprehensively,” said Dr. Elena Ladas, professor at Columbia University. “Good nutrition, affordable access to healthy foods, and mental health support are essential. Prevention should go hand-in-hand with treatment.”
Looking Ahead
The findings underscore an urgent need for the US to accelerate efforts to prevent and manage chronic diseases. While clinical advances have reduced mortality globally, experts warn that without stronger public health investment, equitable access to care, and a focus on preventive wellness, the United States risks falling further behind its peers.
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